This thread is hilarious. It's week 7, this team could run the table or have a complete meltdown. Yesterday was as much about the Bengals playing terrible as it was the Steelers playing well. 5 field goals to end the game, this team didn't dominate offensively in the second half, they couldn't put the ball in the end zone. Still not sold on the offense.
Real world the first 2-3 years are what he would be sure to bank in the world of NFL contracts not being guaranteed in full
Never saw a breakdown on how much of the "$60 million" or "$30 million" in first two years was the bonus that would be guaranteed
Ben's current 5 year deal paid him $1 million salary in 2014 along with the $31 million signing bonus
http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/pittsburg...isberger-3595/
I'm confused by what you mean in that post. I'm not going to dig through and find the posts, but there were a few people ready to throw in the towel after the Jags loss. There's a lot of season left and a lot can happen, but right now we're the best team in the AFC, so I'll take that for what it's worth.
[QUOTE=st33lersguy;611578]He would have been the highest paid RB in the league. More than fair for a RB (particularly one who hasn't started and finished a season regardless of talent).
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no journeyman QB is worth 12 mill either but thats what Fitzpatrick got last year. If the market says top RB get 12-15 then LB deserves the 15. I would not take anyone over him. Not being a homer either because I would take Rodgers over Ben and flip a coin for Julio or AB. But Bell is so unique no one like him
Interesting observations in MMQB today from the former Packers beat writer on how Rodgers tries to win every play like younger Ben did
He holds the ball, he takes a lot of sacks, and when he extends plays, he lives a very dangerous life out there. Now this play in question, everybody does this type of thing, it's an escape right, you throw the ball, you get hit by an extremely fast linebacker. But I want to bring a play up in the [Week 2] Atlanta game. They are down 11 with a minute left and the ball is on the Green Bay 12. This game is over; it's garbage time. From shotgun, there's pressure in the middle and he spins out to his left. Just dump the ball, right, Peter? … He holds it for 5.1 seconds and here comes Adrian Claiborne and absolutely levels him. The pass flutters incomplete. He just gets drilled at the goal line. Now … he's extremely tough, but this stuff, he takes too many chances for his own safety and for the health of the franchise. The law of averages can catch up to you
https://www.si.com/nfl/2017/10/23/nf...dan-quinn-mmqb
[QUOTE=cubanstogie;611848]I don't think the market would dictate a RB being worth $15 mil a year when in early August, DeVonte Freeman became the highest paid RB with a multi-year deal and the highest paid RB before Bell signed his franchise tender when he signed a contract for slightly over $8 million a year
One of the things I have been thinking about regarding the concerns about what a reasonable contract value for Bell is or is not, is the Steelers QB situation.
1. This year has demonstrated that Ben is on the back 9 of his career. No longer can major components of the offense be "Ben, figure something out and make it work". This was the offense for the last several years and we can currently see what is happening with Rodgers' injury in GB. They had the same offensive philosphy - Rodgers will overcome whatever obstacles we find along the way. So moving forward, the Steelers QB should not be counted on as being the sole/primary focus of the offensive philosophy.
2. Ben is off the books in 2 more years at most. In that same window no one besides L. Bell should command over $10-12 million per year based on the current roster (meaning guys that are in line for an extension).
3. The next Qb - whoever that is - will likely be on a cheap rookie deal - Dobbs or a draft pick.
4. I have changed my mind on this based on the first third of this season and the events of the last two weeks. Bryant never sees a second contract from the Pittsburgh Steelers. So no need to save some cap room for that.
All that being said, it is possible that paying L Bell whatever the hell he wants does nothing negative to the salary cap. Or at least nothing you can't manage. Think of it this way. For the 2019-2022 window, Leveon Bell functions as the "franchise QB" portion of the salary cap. A franchise QB with a cap hit of $12-18 million per season is a bargain. Of course, overall salary structure and the ramifications that this might have for future negotiations with other players in the current locker-room is not an insignificant aspect to this. But that will need to be navigated by Colbert and company - not me!
Long story short, the offense for at least the next 4 years (Ben + 2 years growing the "next" guy) should be focused on AB and the RB position. So pay those two like you would pay a QB. Then Bell comes off the books and you can sign your shiny 3 year veteran franchise Qb to a big $$ deal.
Maybe this makes sense only to me...
Excellent point.
Whether it be Dobbs or a rookie R1 pick, the QB position will be cheap for the next three seasons (assuming BB retires). That money will NOT be used on Bryant; so, use it on the player who has averaged the most yards-from-scrimmage per game in the history of the NFL.